The Fantastic Four: Potential Villain Issues in Early Development

Overview of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The Fantastic Four: First Steps heralds the return of Marvel’s First Family following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Pedro Pascal leads a stellar cast, featuring Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as key characters.
Confirmed and rumored villains include Galactus, Silver Surfer, Red Ghost, and Mole Man, sparking concerns about excessive villain representation.

Marvel’s beloved First Family is set to make a significant comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film marks the team’s reentry into cinema after Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Despite their rocky cinematic history, Matt Shakman aims to revitalize the stories of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, generating renewed interest among fans.

The actor John Krasinski previously portrayed Mister Fantastic in a cameo during 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, it will be Pedro Pascal who carries the banner for the character in this new installment. He is supported by an impressive cast, including Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing. This casting represents only a portion of the characters expected to appear, raising questions about potential overpopulation in terms of characters.

Exploring the Villains of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The recently released first trailer for First Steps introduced audiences to the imposing presence of Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson. Fans have debated Galactus’s scale after noticing he appears smaller than expected, although opinions are mixed regarding his depiction, especially when compared to the disappointing cloud form in Rise of the Silver Surfer. Typically, this cosmic entity comes with a herald; in this case, it’s the Silver Surfer.

Julia Garnia is set to play the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer, presenting a new interpretation compared to earlier representations. Traditionally, the Silver Surfer has played the role of an antihero, suggesting his interaction with the Fantastic Four could be nuanced. However, his absence in the trailer leaves many fans curious about how her character will be adapted through motion capture for the film.

Adding to the narrative depth, John Malkovich’s role has sparked speculation, tentatively linking him to the character Red Ghost. Introduced in the comics as Ivan Kragoff, a scientist motivated by the space race, his backstory provides rich potential for conflict and character development. Meanwhile, theories also suggest Paul Walter Hauser might be embodying the iconic Mole Man, with possible appearances in high-stakes action sequences. One of the most intriguing revelations is the return of Robert Downey Jr., not as Tony Stark but as Victor von Doom, indicating Doctor Doom will have a foot in First Steps, despite the timeline creating challenges for how his character will mesh with previous MCU narratives.

The Risk of Villain Overload in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

John Malkovich in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

There are already growing concerns about whether such a formidable villain like Galactus, seen by many as the next Thanos, is being confined to a single film. Following the revelations in Avengers: Doomsday about Doctor Doom’s larger role in future projects, it seems increasingly likely that the narrative space might be overcrowded. The complexity surrounding the Avengers crossover titled Secret Wars only adds to this anticipation.

The MCU is known for underwhelming villain portrayals in past films, evident in projects like Ant-Man and the Wasp, which introduced minor villains without proper development, and Iron Man 3, which received criticism for its mishandling of character arcs. If First Steps attempts to balance multiple villains, it risks repeating the misstep seen in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, which juggled too many antagonists ineffectively.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Origin Story

The film’s depiction of CGI Super-Apes could potentially distract from the core narrative. However, setting First Steps during the heightened tension of the Cold War space race might create a fitting context, thereby fostering connections to the broader MCU. The official synopsis hints at significant ties between Galactus’s motivations and the overarching MCU storyline, with Disney affirming:

“[The Fantastic Four] must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

While Mole Man’s integration might challenge this multilayered narrative, akin to how The Incredibles hinted at a Mole Man-inspired character, Shakman could certainly plant seeds for future MCU developments.

With the Fantastic Four likely to continue their journey into subsequent MCU phases, questions linger about the team’s storyline direction amid the anticipated reboot that accompanies Secret Wars. Moreover, the ongoing struggles highlighted by fans over unresolved plot points from previous films only heightens the need for clarity. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps gears up to introduce iconic foes, it appears inevitable that the powerful presence of Galactus will dominate the narrative, provoking anxieties over character development. Thankfully, the introduction of Annihilus seems absent from discussions, offering a slight reprieve.

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